Box Score |  Notes

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (Jan. 31, 2009) - Senior Traci Edwards scored 16 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked five shots and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's basketball team held Butler to 30.5 percent shooting in claiming a 63-58 win over the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon at the Klotsche Center.

The Panthers (9-11, 4-5 Horizon) trailed by as many as 10 early in the second half, but used a 26-8 run to overtake Butler (12-8, 7-2 Horizon) and eventually lead by eight.

"That was one of the best Butler teams I have seen in my 13 years here," Milwaukee head coach Sandy Botham said. "(Butler head coach) Beth (Couture) has put together some good teams. They have a lot of good shooters and play tough defense. We were able to be successful today because we had a lot of people helping. We showed them a lot of different looks. We figured they had one day to prepare for us, so it would be hard to adjust for every look we could give them."

UWM had two more players in double-figures, including sophomore Lindsay Laur who had a double-double of her own, scoring 11 points and tallying 10 boards. Junior Jodie McClain finished with 10 points.

Susan Lester led Butler with 13 points off the bench, while Brittany Bowen added 11, including three 3-pointers.

Trailing 27-21 coming out of halftime, Milwaukee allowed the Bulldogs to push their lead to 10 points at 31-21 just under a minute into the frame. From that point on, it was all UWM. The Panthers went on a 26-8 run over a 12-minute span, limiting BU to just 2-of-17 shooting during that time.

A Laur three cut the Panthers' deficit to three points at 35-32, but Lade Akande answered with a lay-up to make it a five point game. Milwaukee then proceeded to score 12-straight points and take their first lead since 7-6. After a pair of Terra Burns free throws, Edwards hit a three to give UWM its largest lead of the game at 47-39 with just over six minutes to play.

The Panthers then held onto their lead despite hitting just two field goals over the final 6:27 by hitting 16-of-20 free throws over that span. Butler would get as one at 53-52, each time it fought within a possession, UWM converted on the other end to hold it off.

Milwaukee shot 37.5 percent for the game, including 50 percent in the second half, and converted 6-of-14 from three-point range. The Panthers also got to the free throw line a season-high 36 times, converting 27 (75 percent).

"We got the ball to Traci and attacked the basket more," Botham said of the second half. "We were more aggressive. We moved the ball a lot better and did a better job of being aggressive and getting to the basket. That helped us to establish a rhythm."

UWM did commit 26 turnovers, but overcame that with a strong 44-30 advantage on the boards. The team also blocked eight shots and limited Butler to 30 percent shooting in the decisive second half.

"Traci's defense was awesome. She took Lade (Akande) out of her game," Botham said. "There have been some battles between these two over the years and Traci was able to take her out of her game today. We stress to our players that when things aren't going well on one side of the ball, focus on the other."

The game got off to an inoffensive start, with neither team getting much done on offense. Milwaukee shot 25 percent in the first half and Butler was only marginally better at 31 percent. At the break, the Bulldogs held a 27-21 advantage thanks in large part to a 13-5 discrepancy in turnovers which lead to 15 BU points.

The Panthers continue their four-game home stand Thursday, Feb. 5, hosting Cleveland State at the Klotsche Center. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.